On October 30, 2024, the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova hosted the Launch Conference „for the Project "Legal Empowerment and Community Engagement Initiative." This initiative is part of the Program for Supporting Penal Reform and Combating Corruption in the Republic of Moldova (2021-2024), implemented by ABA ROLI with financial support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The project aims to develop University Legal Clinics across Moldova.

The event was attended by:

• Marcel DIMITRAȘ, ABA ROLI Moldova representative
• Victoria COCIUG, Vice Rector for Research and Partnerships, ASEM
• Veaceslav ZAPOROJAN, Dean of the Faculty of General Economics and Law, ASEM
• Victor DABIJA, representative of the Chisinau Territorial Office, National Council for State-Guaranteed Legal Assistance

Alexandra TIGHINEANU, Project Manager, presented the detailed activities, strategies, and plans within the project.

Law students involved in the clinic shared their experiences, challenges, and successes during their work with the ASEM Business Law Clinic, as well as their future expectations.

The main goal of the project is to increase access to justice and legal support for vulnerable populations in Moldova, contributing to the development of a more equitable and just society. This will be achieved through: - Improving legal education - Raising public awareness about legal rights - Expanding the availability of legal services

Key beneficiaries:

1. Law students at ASEM: Annually, 15-20 students will benefit from clinical legal training, engage in legal assistance, and work on practical case solutions.
2. Vulnerable community members: Approximately 20 individuals per year will receive primary legal assistance.

Indirect beneficiaries:

• Members of the Law Department: Professors and practitioners
• Legal professionals: Involved in project activities
• Young entrepreneurs: Who will benefit from legal consultancy
• The general public: Through participation in public awareness campaigns and activities promoting general legal culture

Planned activities include: - Clinical legal training to enhance practical skills for Law students - Public awareness campaigns - Mock trials - Legal forums - Thematic workshops Throughout the project, students and mentors will work together to provide primary legal assistance to socially vulnerable groups in the community.